Lidl pub - The Middle Ale - opens in Dundonald today
Last updated 13 hours ago
Lidl Northern Ireland today opened the doors to its new public house The Middle Ale in Dundonald, welcoming customers to enjoy a taste of the retailer’s award-winning range of quality wines, beers and spirits within an innovative new hospitality setting.
Newly appointed bar manager Samantha Hill officially cut the ribbon on the new hospitality offering this morning whilst The Middle Ale team made a charitable donation of £1,000 in Lidl gift vouchers to local charity Dundonald Foodbank as part of opening day celebrations.
The opening of the new pub and off-sales has created eight permanent new jobs in the locality, from bar managers to off-sales attendants, expanding the Lidl Dundonald team to 35 employees.
The 60-seater pub is located adjacent to the existing Lidl Dundonald store and accessed via a separate entrance, operating independently from the store as a 60 sqm. public house with associated 24 sqm. off-sales. The premises also includes two restrooms and a backbar space.
The fully accessible venue was designed by specialist Gordon Devenney of O'Donnell O'Neill design company who is known for other high profile hospitality design including The Foundry and most recently The Linen Hall Bar in Belfast.
With vibrant interiors paying homage to Lidl’s brand personality, the pub has been styled to celebrate the brand’s primary colour scheme, bold shapes and local references to Dundonald’s history, creating a welcoming new community space for local residents to enjoy.
Rye River Brewing Company features as The Middle Ale’s house pour, alongside other branded draught beer and cider offerings on tap. Zero alcohol options are also available. The pub’s wine list includes a selection of red, white, rosé and sparkling, recommended by Lidl’s Master of Wine Richard Bampfield. With a wide selection of spirits and liqueurs, Lidl’s own-brand Dundalgan whiskey and Wild Burrow Gin sit amongst branded options while a wide range of pre-mixed cocktails and soft drinks are also available, including the retailer’s popular own-brand Freeway cola. Whilst no hot food will be served at the premises, a selection of flavoured crisps from Lidl’s own-brand range is available for snacking.
Speaking at the opening, Gordon Cruikshanks, Regional Managing Director for Lidl Northern Ireland, said:
“Today marks an important milestone as we open our first ever public house and begin welcoming customers to The Middle Ale. We’re thrilled to finally bring the Dundonald community access to our full range of high quality, premium beers, wines and spirits for the first time in more than two decades.
We recognise that there has been a great deal of local interest and anticipation around this project, which is why we have taken a measured and responsible approach to its opening, ensuring it complements the local area and provides a high-quality hospitality experience for existing Lidl customers, visitors and residents alike.
The feedback from customers so far has been extremely positive and we’re thrilled to toast the Dundonald community today and celebrate bringing our full range to local shoppers, as well as a much-needed community space to serve the thriving town.”
The Middle Ale Opening Hours 👇
Monday – Thursday 15:00 to 23:00
Friday and Saturday 12:00 – 23:00
Sunday 12:30 – 23:00
The associated off licence opening hours
Monday - Saturday 08:00 - 22:00
Sunday 13:00 - 18:00